Compost material collector

ABSTRACT

A method for collecting organic waste including: a) hooking a mounting structure over an edge of an upright planar drawer face of a drawer underlying a work surface, said mounting structure coupled to a container including one or more walls made with a pliable elastomeric material, said container including a top opening and a closed bottom with a side wall enclosing a storage volume; b) supporting said top opening using said hooked mounting structure near a portion of said work surface having a quantity of organic matter; c) scooping said quantity of organic matter into said storage volume; d) unhooking said mounting structure from said drawer face; and thereafter e) freezing said quantity of organic matter while it is in said storage volume.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to collection of organicmaterials, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a compostcollector for storing kitchen organic waste.

As concern about landfill space increases, worldwide interest inrecycling by means of composting is growing, since composting is aprocess for converting decomposable organic materials into useful stableproducts. Increasingly there is greater attention on the need forcomposting organic waste generated in households.

One significant drawback for collecting green waste in a householdenvironment is that organic waste can begin to decompose quite rapidly.Traditionally, indoor/countertop storage solutions cover and seal thecontents of a “garbage” pail which decreases the oxygen supply to thecontents. Putting green waste into such an environment where oxygen islimited initiates a fairly rapid anaerobic decomposition.

It is this anaerobic decomposition that creates fluids, odors, andpotentially toxic bacteria that prevent acceptance ofcountertop/in-house collection and storage of organic waste inpreparation for composting. The anaerobic decomposition is furtherundesirable in that the process attracts flies and other pests which canspread disease, and it is better to avoid attracting such pests into ahousehold. Additionally, the collection and management of in-homeorganic waste generally requires tools and procedures that can clashwith desired design and aesthetic elements.

There are products that collect and store organic waste in thehousehold, using devices that look and function more or less likegarbage bins and the like. In some contexts and for some users, there isa desirable to completely avoid storage of organic waste in livingareas, which can be related to an aversion to odors, messiness, and/orcleanliness associated with even relatively short-term storage oforganic waste. While having an aversion or resistance to prior artimplementations, the user would prefer to enjoy advantages associatedwith composting/recycling of organic waste.

What is needed is a compost collector that permits convenientaccumulation and storage of household organic waste that is moresanitary, less messy, and less odiferous.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a compost collector and compost collection method thatpermits efficient accumulation and storage of household organic wastethat is more sanitary, less messy, and less odiferous. The followingsummary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding ofsome of technical features related to household collection of greenwaste, and is not intended to be a full description of the presentinvention. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the inventioncan be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, andabstract as a whole.

An organic material collection apparatus includes a housing havingclosed side wall defining a storage volume and joined bottom forming acontainer having an opening, the side wall formed from a pliableelastomeric material that maintains elasticity at a temperature lessthan the freezing point of water, with the side wall sufficientlypliable when containing frozen organic matter to permit the bottom to bedepressed toward the opening to dislodge the frozen organic matter fromthe storage volume; and a mounting structure, coupled to the side wall,for hooking the housing over an edge of an upright planar wall.

A method for collecting organic waste including: a) hooking a mountingstructure over an edge of an upright planar drawer face of a drawerunderlying a work surface, the mounting structure coupled to a containerincluding one or more walls made with a pliable elastomeric material,the container including a top opening and a closed bottom with a sidewall enclosing a storage volume; b) supporting the top opening using thehooked mounting structure near a portion of the work surface having aquantity of organic matter; c) scooping the quantity of organic matterinto the storage volume; d) unhooking the mounting structure from thedrawer face; and thereafter e) freezing the quantity of organic matterwhile it is in the storage volume.

The method of some embodiment further includes: f) pushing the bottomtowards the top opening while the quantity of organic matter is frozeninside the storage volume, the pushing step g) dislodging the frozenorganic matter from inside the storage volume.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an easy way to scooporganic matter off of a countertop into a storage volume. Storage of theorganic waste in a freezer compartment completely eliminates thedrawbacks of organic decomposition associated with countertop collectionand storage of organic matter. The storage volume may be removed fromthe freezer to have more organic matter added, and placed back in thefreezer for storage. When full and/or ready for recycling, the containeris manipulated (e.g., the bottom pressed towards the top opening) todislodge the frozen organic waste and remove it from the container. Theorganic waste may then be put directly on a compost pile or put intogreen recycling processes. The mounting structure hooks over an edge ofdrawer or other similar structure to position the top opening near thecountertop surface, allowing organic material to be easily scooped intothe container. The mounting structure of some implementations permitsthe drawer to be fully or partially closed to position the top openingat the edge of the countertop to avoid scooping material onto the floor.Preferably the shape of the housing permits multiple housings to benested together for efficient storage and access.

This device is not designed as a composter but as a collection apparatusand method to gather and store frozen organic waste for latercomposting. This eliminates the generation of the compost fluids, odors,and attractiveness of the stored material to pests. Because thedrawbacks are removed, the collection and storage of organic waste forcompost/recycling is enhanced.

Other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent upon a review of the present disclosure, including thespecification, drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification,further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detaileddescription of the invention, serve to explain the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an organic wastecollector;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the organic wastecollector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view thereof;

FIG. 4 illustrates a back view thereof;

FIG. 5 illustrates a left-hand view thereof, the right-hand view being amirror image thereof;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view thereof;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 8 illustrates an expanded disassembled plan layout of componentsthereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a compost collector thatpermits aesthetic accumulation and storage of household organic wastethat is more sanitary, less messy, and less odiferous. The followingdescription is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art tomake and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patentapplication and its requirements

Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the genericprinciples and features described herein will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended tobe limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an organic wastecollector 100; FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view thereof; FIG.3 illustrates a front view thereof; FIG. 4 illustrates a back viewthereof; FIG. 5 illustrates a left-hand view thereof, the right-handview being a mirror image thereof; FIG. 6 illustrates a top viewthereof; and FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 8 illustrates an expanded disassembled plan layout of components oforganic waste collector 100. Collector 100 includes a sidewall 805enclosing a volume and having a top opening and a closed bottom.Sidewall 805 is formed from a pliable elastomeric material (e.g.,stabilized silicone rubber and the like used for bake/freezerware andthe like) that maintains elasticity at a temperature less than thefreezing point of water, with said side wall sufficiently pliable whencontaining frozen organic matter to permit said bottom to be depressedtoward said opening to dislodge said frozen organic matter from saidstorage volume; and

A formed mounting structure 810 attaches to, coupled to, or otherwiseintegrated with sidewall 805. When assembled/formed, mounting structure810 preferably provides for a drawer face attachment system that hooksover an edge of an upright planar surface (e.g., a drawer face or thelike), the drawer face part of a drawer underlying a work surface thathas collected a quantity of organic material to be stored.

The drawer is opened, mounting system 810 is hooked over the uprightdrawer face, and the drawer is opened/closed sufficiently to positionthe top opening below/adjacent an edge of the work surface. Then theorganic material may be scooped into the storage volume directly fromthe work surface. Collector 100 is unhooked and placed into the freezerwith the quantity of organic waste stored in the storage volume. FIG. 5illustrates a preferred implementation for mounting system 810, with thedownward pointing “hook” spaced from a back of sidewall 805 sufficientlyto hook over a drawer face as described herein.

After freezing, eventually it will be desired to remove the frozenorganic waste, such as to transfer it to a compost pile or add it torecycling process. Collector 100 may be inverted, mounting structure 810may be used as a handle, and the frozen contents are dislodged andremoved by manipulating pliable sidewall 805 (e.g., by depressing thebottom towards the top opening).

There are many advantages to this disclosed structure for collecting andstoring organic waste besides the elimination of decomposition odors andfluids, with the associated pests. The flexibility of the sidewallspermits collector 800 to be stored anywhere in the freezer where thereis space without worrying about the size and orientation of that space.

The system and methods above has been described in general terms as anaid to understanding details of preferred embodiments of the presentinvention. Other preferred embodiments of the present include thedescribed application for organic waste collection. In the descriptionherein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples ofcomponents and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant artwill recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with otherapparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts,and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials,or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoidobscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and notnecessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of thephrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specificembodiment” in various places throughout this specification are notnecessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics of any specificembodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitablemanner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood thatother variations and modifications of the embodiments of the presentinvention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of theteachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit andscope of the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted inthe drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated orintegrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certaincases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.

Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should beconsidered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwisespecifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein isgenerally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated.Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as beingnoted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability toseparate or combine is unclear.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,“a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the presentinvention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to thepresent invention in light of the foregoing description of illustratedembodiments of the present invention and are to be included within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, while the present invention has been described herein withreference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification,various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoingdisclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances somefeatures of embodiments of the invention will be employed without acorresponding use of other features without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications maybe made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essentialscope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular terms used in followingclaims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within thescope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to bedetermined solely by the appended claims.

1. An organic material collection apparatus, comprising: a housinghaving closed side wall defining a storage volume and joined bottomforming a container having an opening, said side wall formed from apliable elastomeric material that maintains elasticity at a temperatureless than the freezing point of water, with said side wall sufficientlypliable when containing frozen organic matter to permit said bottom tobe depressed toward said opening to dislodge said frozen organic matterfrom said storage volume; and a mounting structure, coupled to said sidewall, for hooking said housing over an edge of an upright planar wall.2. The collection apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pliable elastomericmaterial is a stabilized silicone rubber rated for use in a freezer. 3.The collection apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upright planar wallincludes a portion of a drawer face underlying a countertop.
 4. A methodfor collecting organic waste, the method comprising the steps of: a)hooking a mounting structure over an edge of an upright planar drawerface of a drawer underlying a work surface, said mounting structurecoupled to a container including one or more walls made with a pliableelastomeric material, said container including a top opening and aclosed bottom with a side wall enclosing a storage volume; b) supportingsaid top opening using said hooked mounting structure near a portion ofsaid work surface having a quantity of organic matter; c) scooping saidquantity of organic matter into said storage volume; d) unhooking saidmounting structure from said drawer face; and thereafter e) freezingsaid quantity of organic matter while it is in said storage volume. 5.The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of: f) pushing saidbottom towards said top opening while said quantity of organic matter isfrozen inside said storage volume, said pushing step g) dislodging saidfrozen organic matter from inside said storage volume.